Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ottawa To Purchase A Sixth Arctic And Offshore Patrol Vessel: Harjit Sajjan

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Nov, 2018 06:56 PM
    HALIFAX — Concern over a potential lack of work for Halifax's Irving Shipbuilding turned to cheers Friday as the federal government announced it would purchase a sixth Arctic and offshore patrol vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy.
     
     
    Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan told hundreds of workers gathered in the vast facility on the Halifax waterfront that the vessel would be built in Halifax.
     
     
    His announcement came a day after Ottawa revealed plans to divvy up $7 billion in maintenance and repair contracts for navy frigates among three shipyards — a move that set off alarms for workers at the Halifax yard.
     
     
    The federal government had previously committed to five Arctic and offshore patrol vessels and had been considering a sixth, before Sajjan made his announcement.
     
     
    He told the assembled workers the decision would boost Canada's naval capabilities at home and abroad "for decades to come."
     
     
    "By adding a sixth Arctic and offshore patrol vessel we are ensuring that our Royal Canadian Navy remains an agile and responsive naval force for years to come, so that Canada can continue to assert and enforce our arctic sovereignty."
     
     
    Sajjan's announcement brought an end to Irving's fight to land at least six of the vessels.
     
     
    In October 2014, The Canadian Press reported that the former Conservative government had scaled back its original plan to buy between six and eight vessels, choosing instead to buy five with an option for a sixth.
     
     
    Irving president Kevin McCoy said at the time the company still fully expected "to sign a contract to build the first six ships exactly as planned and scheduled." 
     
     
    "There should be no concerns about that. It's all systems go from that perspective."
     
     
    On Friday, Sajjan wouldn't tell reporters when the decision to proceed with six ships was made.
     
     
    "We had to go through our own analysis to determine if a sixth Arctic patrol vessel was going to be needed," said Sajjan. "A determination was made, advice was given and we made a decision as a cabinet."
     
     
    The company is set to deliver the first of the vessels next summer and is in the process of building three more. The ships will be tasked with patrolling Canadian waters including the Arctic.
     
     
    Irving said construction of the second and third vessels — to be known as HMCS Margaret Brooke and HMCS Max Bernays — is already well underway, and construction of a fourth is set to begin later this year.
     
     
    McCoy said a sixth vessel means help in retaining jobs at the yard because it represents a significant narrowing of a gap between when the last of the vessels are completed sometime in 2024 and work begins on the Canadian Surface Combatant program.
     
     
    McCoy said although no layoffs are planned at this point, a number of things have to happen to ensure steady work.
     
     
    "What the minister announced today solves about half of a three-year problem and we are continuing to have dialogue on how we collectively solve the other half," McCoy said.
     
     
    He said company officials met with Sajjan and the federal minister of procurement Carla Qualtrough in Ottawa on Thursday. McCoy said a number of options are under consideration in terms of finding work for the yard.
     
     
    "We are looking at other options together, maybe some international sales, additional arctic ships, potentially even accelerating construction of the Canadian surface combatant. And along with that we got a very good commitment to keep Halifax class maintenance here as well."
     
     
    On Thursday, Ottawa said the maintenance and repair contracts for the existing frigates would be shared by Irving Shipbuilding, Seaspan Victoria Shipyards in Victoria, B.C., and Davie Shipbuilding in Levis, Que.
     
     
    Sajjan deflected questions about how much frigate maintenance work would remain in Halifax, choosing instead to stress the importance of his announcement.
     
     
    "This is about sending a tremendous message to Atlantic Canada, Halifax and the rest of Canada as well," Sajjan said.
     
     
    He also promised that all 15 of the surface combat ships would be "built right here in Halifax."
     
     
    Union local president David Baker-Mosher said Friday's announcement should allow for more continuity at the yard, which is the workers' main concern.
     
     
    "The additional work can close the gap," he said. "Also we have to get a determined design for the future combatants so we can bring that closer to the end of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships program."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Woman Testifies Ex-Gymnastics Coach Kissed Her On The Lips When She Was 12

    Woman Testifies Ex-Gymnastics Coach Kissed Her On The Lips When She Was 12
    A woman who accused her former gymnastics coach of sexual assault told his trial on Tuesday that the man controlled every aspect of her life when she was training with him as a teenager.

    Woman Testifies Ex-Gymnastics Coach Kissed Her On The Lips When She Was 12

    B.C. Jury Trial Hears Man Charged With Murder Confessing To Killing Girl, 12

    B.C. Jury Trial Hears Man Charged With Murder Confessing To Killing Girl, 12
    VANCOUVER — A man charged with killing a 12-year-old British Columbia girl provided details in a video seen in court, saying he abducted, sexually assaulted and strangled her near Merritt.

    B.C. Jury Trial Hears Man Charged With Murder Confessing To Killing Girl, 12

    Tie In Mayor's Race In Peachland, B.C., Could End In A Name Drawn At Random

    Tie In Mayor's Race In Peachland, B.C., Could End In A Name Drawn At Random
    PEACHLAND, B.C. — There is intrigue in the mayor's race in the small town of Peachland, B.C., where a verification process from Saturday's vote revealed a tie of 804 votes for each of two contestants.

    Tie In Mayor's Race In Peachland, B.C., Could End In A Name Drawn At Random

    Passengers Rescued After Whale Watching Vessel Catches Fire In Georgia Strait Off Vancouver

    Passengers Rescued After Whale Watching Vessel Catches Fire In Georgia Strait Off Vancouver
    VANCOUVER — Dozens of people aboard a whale watching boat in the Georgia Strait off Vancouver needed to be rescued Tuesday. 

    Passengers Rescued After Whale Watching Vessel Catches Fire In Georgia Strait Off Vancouver

    B.C. Premier, Green Leader Support Electoral Reform At Referendum Rally

    B.C. Premier, Green Leader Support Electoral Reform At Referendum Rally
    VICTORIA — Those for and against changing British Columbia's provincial voting system to a form proportional representation will soon have a say as residents begin receiving referendum ballots in their mail boxes.

    B.C. Premier, Green Leader Support Electoral Reform At Referendum Rally

    Surrey Assault Victim Dies In Hospital After Fleeing From Police

    Surrey Assault Victim Dies In Hospital After Fleeing From Police
    Later, at approximately 2:40 p.m., on October 21, Surrey RCMP was notified by the BC Coroner Service that the adult male victim had died in the hospital as a result of his injuries.

    Surrey Assault Victim Dies In Hospital After Fleeing From Police